Discovery

Things To Do in Muncie, Indiana

July 15, 2024

Muncie, the largest East Central Indiana city by population, is home to an array of activities and notable destinations. From the largest planetarium in the Hoosier state to a museum honoring the history of model airplanes, the hub of Delaware County boasts a wide range of offerings. 

No matter the season, the historic city’s numerous selections will cater to any adventurer’s tastes. Explore a sampling of Muncie’s finest attractions below, and reference the Destination: Muncie site to learn of more points of interest around town.

Ball State University Charles W. Brown Planetarium

With seating for more than 150 spectators, Ball State University’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium enjoys the title of Indiana’s largest planetarium. It draws in more than 20,000 visitors annually, thanks to its unique size and full calendar of events. Using the facility’s state-of-the-art technology, visually captivating shows are put on almost weekly throughout the year, all of which are free to the public. Shows range in content and target ages, so there is sure to be a suitable screening for all members of the family. Listings of upcoming showtimes can be found at the official Charles W. Brown Planetarium website.

Located on the edge of the Ball State’s scenic, tree-dotted Quad, the Charles W. Brown Planetarium is within walking distance of the David Owsley Museum of Art and a shopping and dining district, known as “The Village.”

Enjoy a live show at Canan Commons

Introduced into the city’s parks system in 2010, Canan Commons has grown to be a staple in Muncie’s live music scene. Among the shows that are consistently played on the outdoor stage, the Muncie Three Trails Music Series has emerged as a favorite event. Produced by a partnership between local government and non-profit organizations, the series welcomes nationally recognized acts for free summertime shows. In addition to serving as a music gathering spot, the venue is also available for informal activities throughout the year.

Canan Commons’ convenient location in the heart of Muncie’s Downtown district provides easy access to some of the city’s top local dining and shopping experiences. To plan your trip to Muncie’s historic core, visit the DWNTWN page, which features a directory of local business and a calendar of upcoming events.

Roll or stroll along the Cardinal Greenway

The Cardinal Greenway, Indiana’s longest rail trail, flows through the Muncie area on its 62-mile path from Grant County to Wayne County. There are more than a dozen points for walkers, runners and bikers to access the tree-lined trail in Muncie, with the Wysor Street Depot Trailhead — a former train stop located near Downtown — being perhaps the most recognizable. The Depot is home to the Greenway’s headquarters, bike and merchandise shop, and a great deal of history.

In addition to providing free and safe access to recreational trails year round, the Cardinal Greenway also hosts a number of events, ranging from bike races to the annual “Turkey Trot” on Thanksgiving Day. Learn more at the trail’s events page.

Find your creative side at Cornerstone Center for the Arts

The original Muncie Masonic Temple, located on the east end of Downtown, has been repurposed to serve as the community’s repository for fine arts. Cornerstone Center for the Arts, which now occupies the historic Gothic Revival building, prides itself on being the intersection where “art and community come together.” It regularly holds classes for all ages in the visual and performing arts, and also provides a number of rooms to be rented for private events. A full list of offerings for each season can be found on Cornerstone’s classes page. 

Cornerstone is located across the street from the aptly named Cornerstone Park and is near local breweries and restaurants. Reference DWNTWN’s guide for nearby eateries and attractions.

Appreciate the past and present at the David Owsley Museum of Art

Muncie’s local art museum is far from local in its assortment of displays. The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA), located on the south end of Ball State University’s campus, boasts a collection of more than 11,000 pieces from across the globe, some of which date back thousands of years. The Ned H. and Gloria A. Griner Greek and Roman Collection, which can be viewed online, is just one example of DOMA’s far-reaching and wide-spanning assortments of art.

Visitors can appreciate DOMA’s thousands of works free of charge from Tuesday through Saturday year round — visit its site for updates on hours and closures. DOMA also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, which are listed on the museum’s events page.

Experience it all at Minnetrista

Minnetrista’s eclectic mix of outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and engaging programming makes it one of the top cultural destinations in all of East Central Indiana. The center, sprawled out on dozens of acres just north of Muncie’s Downtown district, features carefully attended gardens, a facility for revolving exhibits, a gathering space for a weekly farmers market, and more. Some of Minnetrista’s offerings are free, while others require small admission fees to enjoy. Reference its events page for information on fees.

One of the historic mansions on Minnetrista’s property was the film site for Bob Ross’s acclaimed The Joy of Painting show. His legacy lives on with the Bob Ross Experience, an immersive exhibit that allows visitors to paint in the very studio that the famed painter worked. Learn more at the official page.

Make your child’s day at the Muncie Children’s Museum

At the Muncie Children’s Museum, interactivity and engagement are at the heart of every exhibit. Young ones can burn their energy by crawling through the “Ant Wall” (a wall of tunnels that teaches children the functions of an ant colony), learn valuable skills in the STEM-focused Discovery Park, and much more. The Muncie Children’s Museum has attractions to entertain the whole crew, as the selection of exhibits are designed with all ages of children in mind.

The museum, adjacent to the Horizon Convention Center in Downtown Muncie, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $7 per person (ages 1 and up), but “Free Saturdays” are offered on the third Saturday of each month. Learn more about the Muncie Children’s Museum’s pricing and offerings at its site.

Take in a show at the Muncie Civic Theatre

The Muncie Civic Theatre is the longtime heart of the city’s local performing arts scene. Founded in 1931 by William H. Ball, the Civic’s roots in East Central Indiana’s theater culture run deep, and they continue to expand in the modern day. The non-profit organization hosts several productions annually that are solely staffed by community members. Learn more about the low-cost shows at the Civic’s site.

Not only does the Civic provide entertainment for theater enjoyers, but it also allows for active participation in the arts. Summer camps are held for children from kindergarten and up, accessible programming is available for those with disabilities, and adults can audition as cast members for shows.

Soar through the National Model Aviation Museum

The Academy for Model Aeronautics (AMA) is headquartered on the south end of Muncie, just off State Road 3. Its campus is home to the National Model Aviation Museum, which houses unique exhibits and collections that chronicle the history of model aviation. Regardless of one’s background in flying model airplanes, there is sure to be something of interest for each visitor. Attendees can take their visit further by taking part in an interactive program through the AMA Flight School.

The museum is currently open on a seasonal basis, normally opening in early April and closing at the end of September. Visit the official National Model Aviation Museum page for up-to-date information on hours and pricing.

Cool off at Tuhey Pool

Summer fun in the sun starts at Tuhey Pool, loc​​​​ated just blocks away from the amenities of Downtown Muncie. The public pool features a 50-meter pool, a large water slide, and a safe play area for younger children. In addition to its water amenities, the park also sports adjoining playground equipment. A pair of tall metal slides, affectionately known as the “Tuhey Towers,” are a favorite at the park.

As with many local pools, Tuhey Pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During its summer season, the facility welcomes all community members seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m. (noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays). Reference the pool’s page on the City of Muncie website for admission prices and rules.